THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
GUNTOPIA at The Roustabouts Theatre Co
It took 3 years and one pandemic, but Will Cooper’s world premiere satire gUnTOPIA has finally opened to audiences at The Roustabouts Theatre Co. The show is a dark comedy pondering what life and society could look like if gun ownership was universal, and not carrying a weapon was against the law. gUnTOPIA is playing through April 2nd.
GOD OF CARNAGE at Backyard Renaissance
Backyard Renaissance pulls no punches with their current production of GOD OF CARNAGE- where two couples have come together to resolve a fight between their children, but it quickly devolves from polite pretense to a delightfully chaotic and comedic confrontation as the gloves start to come off. GOD OF CARNAGE from Backyard Renaissance is playing at 10th Avenue Arts Center through March 25th.
THE CHERRY ORCHARD at North Coast Repertory Theatre
THE CHERRY ORCHARD at North Coast Repertory Theatre brings a contemporary contemplation to a classic play with strong performances and a lovely set. THE CHERRY ORCHARD is playing through April 2nd at North Coast Repertory Theatre.
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE may be a beloved musical, but it isn’t staged that often- it requires an excellent cast to perform a show based on a classic painting by George Seurat, with the complicated but gorgeous Sondheim music to perform in order to make it great. Luckily, this show by CCAE Thearicals is stunningly good, from vocals to musicians, and scenery it is a show you do not want to miss. SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE is playing through March 5th.
UNDER A BASEBALL SKY
San Diego has deep ties to baseball well before the Padres arrived on the scene. The Old Globe’s new play UNDER A BASEBALL SKY, set in Logan Hieghts shows how baseball can become an important thread in the tapestry of individuals and their communities. This 90-minute play has mystery, family, magical realism, and a lot of heart and is playing through March 12th at The Old Globe.
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA at MOXIE Theatre
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA now playing at Moxie Theatre through March 5th is a moving and thoughtful show about a father and daughters relationship, and is anchored by two excellent performances.
ANYTHING GOES at SDMT
Full of tap dancing, classic Cole Porter songs, and high seas hijinx, ANYTHING GOES now playing at San Diego Musical Theatre through March 12th is a delovely time at the theatre.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T at Lamb’s Players
R-E-S-P-E-C-T playing at Lamb’s Players Theatre welcomes everyone back to the ’60s with the fun and entertaining musical tribute to the women singers and songwriters of the 1960s playing through March 26th.
Interview: Director Jocelyn A. Brown of RIDE THE CYCLONE at Chance Theatre
Interview with Chance Theatre's RIDE THE CYCLONE director Jocelyn A. Brown on bringing this fan favorite musical to life on their stage through February 26th.
EL HURACÁN at Cygnet Theatre
Usually, the vanishing act is everyone’s favorite magic trick on stage, but for one family the magic is in the memories, and tragedy strikes when those start to disappear. EL HURACÁN at Cygnet Theatre explores the matriarchs, the memories, and the magic of one family in Miami through February 19th.
THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at The Old Globe
THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at The Old Globe brings a visually sumptuous peek into the mind of a creative genius. The production is so much more than a play; it is art, movement, dance, math, and philosophy all brought to life on stage.
RIPPED at Loud Fridge Theatre Group Is an Excellent and Nuanced Look at Sexual Consent
Loud Fridge Theatre Group started off its 2023 theatrical year with an excellent and thoughtfully nuanced look at a sexual assault on a college campus. RIPPED from Loud Fridge Theatre Group is playing through February 5th at OnStage Playhouse.
Directors Kate Rose Reynolds & John Wells III Talk about “RIPPED” at Loud Fridge Theatre Group
Interview with RIPPED directors Kate Rose Reynolds and John Wells III, about working together as joint directors, and why this play is more topical than ever as it explores from multiple angles an incident of a female college freshman who believes she was sexually assaulted.
Lauren Nicole Chapman brings Arendelle to the San Diego Civic Theatre in FROZEN
Lauren Nicole Chapman plays Princess Anna, who is arguably one of the most popular royals ever, so, of course, we took a moment to chat with her - because no one turns down the chance to interview a Disney princess. Chapman and the entire talented cast bring Arendelle and FROZEN to the San Diego Civic Theatre through Broadway San Diego January 18th - 29th.
Playwright Interviews for “CELEBRATING COMMUNITY VOICES” at The Old Globe
Playwrights Gignerlily Lowe and Daryl ”Scooter” Davis talk about their plays and being a part of the CELEBRATING COMMUNITY VOICES presentation, a part of the upcoming 10th annual Old Globe Powers New Voices FestivalJan 13 - 15, 2023.
ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER
ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER is a lovely and lyrical operetta telling ”A modern love story from long ago.” With only two performances this weekend, through January 8th, this show is making its West Coast Premiere at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
AIN'T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
It seems appropriate that the musical AIN’T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, like the band its story tells, is consistently entertaining, and full of impressive musical performances. Playing through January 8th at the San Diego Civic Theatre by Broadway San Diego.
Favorite theatre experiecnces 2022
Here is a list of some of my favorite theatre experiences in San Diego in 2022! This is by no means a complete list of everything that was excellent in this past year, but now we get to turn towards 2023 and all of the fantastic theatre that is sure to come our way.
From Shelter To Star - an interview with animal trainer Bill Berlonion finding Sandy
Bill Berloni, the animal trainer to Broadway and beyond and who helped train the original Sandy talks about finding and training the dogs for performances, and their connection with the human cast. Playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre through Broadway San Diego, Annie is running from December 27th through January 1st.
The Who’s who of the Who’s in Whoville
It's not the holidays at The Old Globe Theatre without those adorable Who's down in Whoville and the green meanie Grinch plotting in DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! Now it's time to meet the young performers of the show and learn who's who in Whoville!